A new nationwide study links exposure to PFAS in drinking water with significantly higher rates of multiple cancers, including some not previously associated with the chemicals.
Pamela Ferdinand reports for U.S. Right to Know.
In short:
- Researchers at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine found higher cancer rates in U.S. counties where drinking water exceeded recommended PFAS levels, estimating nearly 6,900 cancer cases annually may be tied to the chemicals.
- The strongest cancer links were found with PFBS and mouth and throat cancers, PFHxS and digestive system cancers, and PFHpA and endocrine cancers, with gender differences in cancer types also observed.
- The study used cancer registry and water monitoring data but couldn’t fully account for personal exposure habits or long cancer latency periods.
Key quote:
“The key takeaway is that PFAS contamination in everyday water sources is a risk factor for long-term health consequences, including cancers.”
— Researchers, Keck School of Medicine, USC
Why this matters:
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are synthetic chemicals used for decades in everything from nonstick cookware to waterproof jackets. Their appeal lies in their durability, but that same staying power means they don’t break down easily, earning them the nickname “forever chemicals.” Once PFAS enter the environment, they can linger for years in soil, water, and even the human body. A growing body of research links these chemicals to a range of health problems, including kidney and testicular cancers, hormonal disruptions, liver damage, and decreased fertility.
This latest study underscores a troubling reality: PFAS contamination is now nearly unavoidable. Testing suggests that nearly half of U.S. tap water contains detectable levels of PFAS, with rural areas, military sites, and communities near manufacturing hubs often seeing the worst of it. The scale of exposure, coupled with a long latency for disease, makes it difficult to fully track who is most affected. But public health researchers are increasingly focused on vulnerable populations — children, pregnant people, and those with limited access to clean water — when assessing long-term risks.
Related EHN coverage: Dead livestock and poisoned water — Texas farmers sue over PFAS contamination
